I got up early today to head out for a hike with ranger Kelly. We drove out to the Door trail with the intention of finding the way down to the base of all the formations so we could hike out and over to Big Badlands. I've been told about the route by a couple rangers over the years, so felt reasonably confident I knew where we were going. In the end, we did not find a passable route, everything led to steep drop offs. Talking to another ranger friend later in the day, it seems I either misremembered or was mistold the route. So, that one stays on the list of places I want to go here.

When we got back out from our hike, I had a text message waiting for me with an invitation to ride along out to a ranch I haven't visited before. I jumped at the chance, and we took back roads all over, my friend pointing out the lands of many of the original ranching families. With Badlands in view much of the time, it felt like a drive through the history of the area, and the setting for the park. A very cool experience, and I now feel I have a better understanding of many of the people and histories of the area.

In the early afternoon I worked on my painting some more. Later I headed over to the visitor center to meet with my main contact at the park to discuss my education programs and other things. After a phone conversation with my family, I cooked dinner for a friend and we had a lengthy discussion about what I do here, what I'd like to continue to do here, and thoughts on the artist-in-residence programs at national parks and how they fits into the context of modern life. Some good stuff.

Looking back toward the Door and Window area.

Kelly climbing, across from the
end of the Door Trail.

Looking northeast-ish.

Above the White River, looking towards Interior
with Badlands NP in the distance.

White River, Interior, and Badlands.

There are many areas of Badlands formations
outside of the park boundaries.

Badlands in the distance.

Old Fords.

On the ranch.

Evening thunderstorm, out my back door.

Today I had an all-day education program with kids from the Boys and Girls Club at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Drove to Rapid City at 8am and met the group at the Dahl Arts Center to start the day by viewing my exhibit there. Ranger Kelly came along as park representative and to add her knowledge about the park. I talked to the kids about my time at Badlands as Artist-in-Residence, explained the history of the South Unit, showed them different areas on a map, and talked a little about my paintings. I had a sheet of questions for the kids to guide them into finding one piece to ponder, sketch, and write about. When everyone was done I told them the story about how I got to the place to view the landscape in my painting Palmer Creek After the Rain.

Next we loaded up and drove to the Pinnacles Overlook in Badlands NP and had a picnic. After eating I gave a lesson on value, how to show value with shading and hatching lines, measuring, and tips on landscape drawing. I had made sketchbooks for the kids to use and keep, and they had a little more than an hour for free drawing time. Towards the end a few of us took a little hike as well, and throughout the day we discussed how the landscape formed, wildlife, and safety in wild places. The kids were fantastic and we had a great day. One drew my portrait, and at the end the students all wanted me to sign their sketchbooks, which was very sweet.

When I returned home in the evening, my friend asked if I would come along out to her family's ranch to help load up about eight old, broken mowers to bring to town. We did that, and while at the ranch, she thought it would be a good idea to take me out to Coyote Creek to see the landscape. So we all loaded up on ATVs and drove out there, then around other parts of the property that look out over the White River with Badlands NP in the distance. Spectacular views everywhere. At sunset we drove back to the park, taking the truck and trailer back across the river which was low enough that we made it without trouble.